In the early morning hours of September 16, 2021, James Cordell Hill was called Home. He had just turned 79 two days before and was going to celebrate a joint birthday with his oldest daughter on Friday, September 17, 2021
Jim was born September 14, 1942, in Glasgow, Montana, to James Marcus Hill and Eleanora Heckner Hill. He was the third child in a family with 6 kids. The family wintered in Glasgow, Montana and spent summers working the family farm. He graduated from Glasgow High School in 1960. He graduated with a degree in Civil Engineering from Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington in 1964. He had a tour of duty with the Air National Guard from August 1965 to July 1971.
Jim married Lana Marlene Belgarde on July 1, 1967. Their first home was in Rimini and eventually moved to the Helena Valley. They started a family in 1971 with the arrival of Chantal. Two years later, Nicholas was born. Ten years later Andrea completed the household. In 1991, they celebrated the marriage of Chantal to Andrew VanDaele. In 1998, Jim became a grandparent and welcomed his granddaughter, Lindsay. In 2000, A.J. (Andrew James) was born.
Jim worked at the Highway Department in the Bridge Bureau for the State of Montana for 28 years and took an early retirement to spend more time with family.
There wasn’t a hobby, Jim didn’t do or try. Jim was an avid hunter, coin collector and NASCAR enthusiast. He collected NASCAR diecast cars, Montana Centennial belt buckles, miniature trains and a whole slew of other items. He enjoyed researching genealogy, geology and read numerous history and other non-fiction books. He was a lifetime Denver Broncos, Dale Earnhardt and Utah Jazz fan. John Stockton – after all – was a fellow Zag alum. He enjoyed working on projects around the house and yard. Jim built a playhouse for Andrea in the backyard. Not just a playhouse – a two-story playhouse. With a deck and a lookout tower. That playhouse later provided hours of fun for his grandkids. In keeping with the family tradition, Jim had a yearly garden and grew his own vegetables and often supplied family members with the fruits of his labor.
Staying in touch with his brother and sisters was always important to him. There were numerous family get-togethers and reunions throughout the years. Even one to the Heckner Homestead.
Jim is preceded in death by both parents, sisters Donna Smith, Bonnie Hansen and Carol Hill, and his brother Bob Hill. Jim is survived by his wife Lana, children Chantal, Nick (Alice) and Andrea (Jeff), grandkids Lindsay and A.J., sister Darlene Riggin-Stratton, a multitude of nieces and nephews and his Chocolate Lab, Sophie.
Cremation will take place. The family will have Services and a Celebration of Life at 11:00 a.m., Monday, September 27, 2021 at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home. A Reception will follow the service in the Social Hall of the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, consider making a donation to the Special Olympics, St. Labre Indian school in Ashland, Montana, or the Lewis & Clark Humane Society. And the next time you drive over the bridge on I-90 on Lookout Pass, know you are in safe hands.
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
11:00 a.m.
Monday September 27, 2021
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Following the service
Monday September 27, 2021
Social Hall of Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
11:00 a.m.
Monday September 27, 2021
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Following the service
Monday September 27, 2021
Social Hall of Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
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Paula Smith says
RIP Uncle Jim. My Momma and your other family welcomed you with the heavenly father and family but leave behind people who love you. Prayers and thoughts go out to all the knew you. Love Paula (niece) and family
Ronald Williams says
I enjoyed working many years with Jim and my thoughts go to the family at this time.
Tim Conway says
Jim was the Bridge Bureau Chief when I started at MDT, in the Bridge Bureau. He would visit with the new hire engineers and often ask a puzzling question about engineering. For instance, if train tracks are a fixed distance apart and locomotives have a fixed wheel spacing, how does a locomotive safely maneuver a curve? He was an engineer’s engineer and a good guy. Rest in peace Jim.
Steve Rumley says
Jim Hired me at MDT in May, 1991. I was 44 years old when I graduated from engineering school and was probably not attractive to prospective engineering consultants, so I sent my resume to MDT, wanting to get back to Montana. Jim called me on the phone in the concrete lab at my school in Tennessee and offered me a job right then. I said, “don’t you even want an interview?” He said, “naw, not for entry level.” That’s how no-nonsense he was. I owe my whole, rewarding, career in the Bridge Bureau to his taking a chance on me and I endeavored to show him that he’d made a good choice. And I’ll be forever grateful. Jim was a brilliant engineer with a quick wit, especially when circulating the office and visiting (usually unannounced) with any one of us in the Bureau. After he retired, I enjoyed talking with him whenever I chanced to run into him. Rest in peace, Jim.